River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-09-29
LETTY'S SURPRISE.

Yes, said Mrs Lansing Gibson,
rising and shaking out her siIken skirts.
with a gracious smile. Il am perfectly
satisfied Miss Whitaker am certain
that would be. after Mrs. Halsey's
recon mendation. | am sure your
playing Is charming You will give
Genevicve her first lesson ON Monday.
at four? You viii find her tractable.
hope YOU viii be mutually pleased with
each other
And Mrs. Gibson went smilingly ont
OF the music room. leaving her little
girls newly engaged music teacher
rolling up her music and putting on her
gloves
Il was raining when she pulled on
her rubbers in the hall; the drops were
splashiug down on the window. Lefty
bit the end of her music roll in cOnster-
nation She had on new dress, and
new dresses were not a common occur
renee with her.
She was wondering whether she could
not wait ia corner Of the big hall un-
IN the rain Slackened. When somebody
came bounding down the stairs. three
-tcps at "a time. 1t was a genial-faced
Young man. in hat and OyercOat, and
with am umbrella
Letfv's fair cheek Dinkened. This
was RAYMOND Gibson. she knew. She
had seen him often enough in the street,
and at church, where Lefty was some
times substituted for the organist, who
had q habit Of taking rest when ne felt
like it.
She had heard Miss Taylor. to whom
she gave lessons. talk about him to her
bosom friend. detailing hi good looks. the
amount If his fathers fortune and his
general Projections. and declaring that
ne WIS by far the most desirable .'catch"
in town And Lefty had come to have a
certain Jia'id consciousness concerning
him. because he always looked At her so
steadily when he met her. not 10 say
stared. She looked up at him now in
tremuIous shyness.
..Oh. I'm 50 glad cried young Mr..
Gibson brcathlessly. Il was afraid you'd
be- zone. Miss Whitaker You'll let me
take YOU home, won't YOU? It's rain
ing hard. And YOU haven't an umbrella.
I've been in the library listening to
f. ,ur PLAYING. and can't say how
much I've enjoyed il. Miss Whitaker.
I'm sure Gcnevieveis awfully lucky to
get YOU
They were going down the front
steps He had her music roll. and had
offered MS arm, and was holding his
umbrella So far over her that his silk
hat was getting rained on.
I've euiOyed Your PLAYING in church
~ much. Mis- Whitaker he went on
eagerly. Il wish Paterson would stay
away all the time.
..Oh. :" protested. with her eyes on
the wet street. Il am very poor
substitute. Mr.. Gibson
..Indeed you're n0tl' said the young
man earnestly Il prefer your inter
pre.Itions. really-your touch. your
expression, everything Tn always
delighted when Paterson'S away. How
muddy it, gcttingl Let's cross the
street. Miss Whitaker
They met Sadie Merritt as they
crossed it. Sadie was in the Gibson
..~,-. and she gave the little music
se-a cher and her escort stare of amaze
meal.
L,rsv felt somewhat frightened as
they walked on: but Mr.. Gibson seem
Ell to gain enthusiasm
Do sou like music teaching?' he
said helping her across a puddle Il
suppose its a bOre?''
i do get tired sometimes. Lefty
admitted. But like il. I've a nice
class"
~AII ages, SUPPOSE" said Mr.. Glib
son.
..Oh YES; from SIX 10 twenty. From
the first lesson in the instruction book
MP To Chopin. Lefty rejoined.
..Iuu take beginners, then?
Yes"
The Wilcox carriage was approach
inc. and the WilcONes were particular
friends Of the Gibsons. Lefty wa.
clad the corner Of her street was 81
near.
i have always liked music. said Mr.
Gibson hesitatingly. IL suppOs'
Won take another pupil?
Another pupil, she echoed.
Il should like awfully 10 learn. yo'
know. said Mr.. Gibson eagerly. "An'
it shau't be any trouble to -. II
come To the house. You do t~Ae pupil
at the house. don't you? | shoul
like itimmenSely.'
Lefty was dumb with astOnishmen'
Amusic pupH2 Mr.. Gibson? WIS
an incredible idea! And vet she WI
not displeased At the prospect
They had reached her modest littl
--ais. and she looked up with a timOl
ouS smile
Why. certainly. Mr.. Gibson. if yo
wish" she murmured.
i certainly do wish" he respOnde
emf hatically; and he looked highly d,